Return-bend for joining pipe.



L. SEXTON.

RETURN BENDFOR JOWINGYPIPE,

nwucmmu FILED FEB. 19. 1911.

w 19mm Jan.15,1918.

gwammto'c LOWKY SEXTON an sans yearns LOWRY SEXTON, OF THE DALLES, OREGON.

' RETURN-BEND Eon JOINING PIPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15,191e.

Application filed February 19, 1917. Serial No. 149,595.

To all whom it may concern:

tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to pipe fittings and particularly to Us such as are used for coupling together parallel lengths of pipe,these U-shaped couplingsbeing known as return bends. 1

These return bends, as ordinarily made, are cast in one piece and, under some circumstances, where the parallel lengths of pipe are sufficiently long, may be used without trouble, but where the pipe lengths are short or curved, there is considerable dithculty in using the bends, and in putting the bends in place the pipe lengths are very liable to be strained or the couplings broken, as will appear in the following specification.

The general object of my invention is to provide a U or return bend formed in two sections and particularly to so form these sections that the sections engage each other by a rotative movement on an axis extend ing at right angles to the axes of the legs of the return bend, thus permitting a rigid engagement of the sections with each other and making it a relatively easy matter to join the sections to lengths of pipe and then join the sections to each other to complete a coil.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the sections, where the coil is formed, may be rigidly held in proper parallel relation to each other, said means permitting the intentional uncoupling of the sections, when desired.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the manner of joining up a series of pipe sections to If)orm a coil and illustrating the ordinary end;

Fig. 2 is a like view to Fig. 1, but showing a difierent manner of forming the coil;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through two lengths of pipe and my improved return bend;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig. 3; i i

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the construction shown'in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is an elevation of a coil with my return bend applied thereto.

In Fig. 1, I have shown an ordinary U coupling which in this figure is designated A, this coupling being used to connect parallel lengths of pipe B so as to form a series of coils or return bends. In this figure I have illustrated one of the difficulties of using these rigid cast return bends A and it will be seen that in screwing the coupling A upon the length of pipe B that the length of pipe B must be disposed at an angle to, the adjacent length B, so as to permit the coupling to be turned or rotated around the axis of the length B and that the length B must be disposed in angular relation to the length B to a degree equal to the radius of the circle described by a rotation'ot the return bend A. This is usually accomplished by inserting a block between the lengths of pipe B and B so as to wedge the pipe Bf outward and this tends to bend the pipe B or B and bend or break the coupling A.- This difiiculty is avoided by making the pieces of pipe B and B of different lengths,

as illustrated in Fig. 2, but in many cases this is not desirable, particularly if the coil. is a wide coil, like the construction shown in Fig. 1, and is a serious drawback.

It is to avoid the difliculties of these two constructions that I have provided the U coupling or return bend illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5. This coupling is designated generally 10 and is formed of two sections 11 and 12. Each of these sections is angular in form to provide the legs of the coupling and what may be termed the cross piece of the coupling. The legs of the coupling are designated 13. The section 11 is formed at the end opposite the leg 13 with the internal screw threads 14., which engage with the like end of the section 12. This section 12 is formed with exterior screw threads 15, engaging with the screw threads 14. Of course each section is formed at its outer end with interior screw threads 16 to engage with the pipe lengths B. Itwill be seen litlltt from Fig. 3 that inward of screw threads 16 on each section 11 and 12 at the inferior angle of the bend in these sections, the metal is inwardly'extendedas at 17. T his'is done to secure a greater length of screw thread on partsl l and 15 than would otherwise be possible. There is also formed upon the confronting ends of the pipe sections 11 and l2 the longitudinally extending relatively wide-lugs 18 as illustrated in Fig. 4, and formed with confronting semi-circular grooves 19 to receive a bolt 20. The purpose of this bolt 20 is to hold the sections 11 and 12 from relative rotation so that they may be disposed in the same plane and held in this plane, after the sections have been connected to each other.

The bend illustrated in Fig. 3

threads, or it may be made of special size or with threads of special character or pitch, as desired. Either. half of the return bend may be used as an elbow, or either half may 7 be used in combination with a common elbow, thus making a under return bend. o It will be seen that the ,bosses 17 come even with but do not extend beyond the inside diameter of the pipes B connected to the return bend. The fitting can be made of black or galvanized iron and beaded or plain, the same as any other fitting. It can beused in any place where a common return bend ofthe same size and dimensions can be used, but being in two parts, it can be used in many places where the common bend cannot be used.

lVith a two part bend constructed in accordance with my invention, the coil shown in Fig. 6 can beeasily made or put together without straining the pipe lengths of the couplings. Also with this bend, a great.

variety of curved, oval or round coils can be easily put together, which would be very ,difi ieult, or impossible,-with common bends.

I have found in practice that this im- Copies of this patent may be obtained for supposed; to be made of the standard pipe size and and means disposed between. the legs and proved return bend is efficient, may be cheaply made, and is adapted to doa large variety of work for the reasons above stated.

Having described my invention,'what I claim is 1. As an article or manufacture, a U-- shaped return bendfor pipe formed in two ble'in a plane parallel to the legs" of the U-shaped bend, theconfronting faces of the legs of the section being'formed each with a transversely extending seat, a locking member adapted, to be disposed in said seat,

said locking member holding theatwo legs of the bend in the same plane I 2. As an article of manufacture, a U- shaped return bend for pipe, formed intwo angular sections having screw threadedcngagement with each other and being rotatable in a plane parallel to the legs of the U-shaped bend, the confronting faces of the legs of the sections being formed with lugs, the confronting faces'ofthe lugs having' recesses forming a boltseat and a-bolt"adapt-. ed to be disposed in said recesses and hold: ing the two sections of the bend-in the same plane.

3. As an article of manufacture, a; U-

shaped return bend for pipe formed in two angular sections having screw-threaded en-. gagementwith' each otherand beLng rotata-.

ble upon each other in a plane parallel to the plane of the legs ofthe U-shaped bend,

extending transversely .to the bodyofthe U- shaped bend removably engaging said legs to hold the seetio'nsfrom relative rotationout of the sameplane.

- In testimony whereof lhereunto' affix my signature in the presenceof two witnesses.

. LOWRY SEXTON. Witnesses: 1

JAS. E.TAYLOR, 3 F. P. RIPLEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 51.25am; Washington, D. C. 

